01 Dec 2015 — Henning Lahmann

Largely thanks to underground-approved labels such as Erased Tapes and figureheads such as Nils Frahm, modern classical piano composition that's lingering in that delicate spot between chamber music and pop has had a bit of a resurgence as of late. Enter Berlin via Milan artist Federico Albanese, whose forthcoming sophomore full-length The Blue Hour cleverly blends elements of drone and ambient with beautifully arresting, cautiously arranged piano pieces which stay clear of all those easy clichés you might associate with 'cinematic' soundscaping, a trap that so many contemporary composers fall for (though it certainly won't hurt their sales figures). Watch the masterfully shot video for LP standout "Shadow Land Part II" below, an unpretentiously constructed fragment of simple yet effective beauty. Winter music sans the kitsch.

The Blue Hour is out January 15 via Berlin Classics' new Neue Meister imprint.